Our Lady------bearing------Pain
She bore what the Cross bears
She bears and bears again------
As the Stone------bears------its scars
The Hammer broke her out
Of rough Rock's ancient------Sleep------
And chiselled her about
With stars that weep------that weep------
The Pain inscribed in Rock------
The Pain he bears------she Bore
She hears the Poor Frame Crak------
And knows------He'll------come------no More------
- I Am My Own Riddle, From Possession, A Romance
By: A.S. Byatt's Christabel LaMotte: Emily Dickinson and Melusina
Pg. 411-412
In the moments of blissful rest, he stayed by her side. For if he couldn't see her face, he would not have the means to keep on fighting. Since she lent him such strength and courage, he decided to return the favor. No matter how small it was, he tried to give her the will to keep on fighting...the fight for life. He clasped her hand in his as he whispered words,which one could only assume, were words of encouragement. He pulled back in a moment of overwhelming guilt and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Briefly, the new Atlantean doctor glances at the leaders of Atlantis. He can see the inner turmoil clearly on the Colonel's face. There has never been a time where the two have looked so vulnerable. The doctor knows that there is a battle waging itself inside them both. The dear Doctor is fighting for her life, mind, body, and soul. As for the Colonel, he's fighting an already lost war. The doctor can see it, the growing feelings the Colonel has for Elizabeth. The guilt and shame he feels for letting her get hurt, for hurting so many. Now it all rests on him, until she heals and comes back to them...to him.
The doctor pauses just to give him a second longer with her, "Colonel Sheppard...it's time," he gives a light smile and looks away.
John stands, giving her hand a final squeeze. A longing look lingers on her face, whereupon he places a light kiss to her forehead and then walks pass the doctor.
"Contact me if anything changes," giving a faint smile of reassurance he pats the doctor on the shoulder.
And with a nod from the doctor, he walks away. To continue on for her. Until she wakes up, until she's fully healed. But it's breaking him up inside leaving her all alone. No one should have to fight for life on their own. As soon as he's fully gone, and she's once again alone, somewhere deep inside of her she can feel his pain. And for that her body painfully sheds a tear; hoping she can find the way back to him.